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An Upahara ceremony, organised by bhikkhus of the Koraleima, Wijayagiri temple to felicitate their teachers was held at the temple premises recently. Here a bhikkhu presents an Upahara gift to one of their teachers, the chief incumbent of the Wijeyagiri temple, Ven. Denagama Gnaninda Thera.

Pic: Priyadarshani Kahawala, Ingiriya Central Gr. Cor.

WPC Industries Minister Udhaya Gammanpila, visited the Biyaga-ma Meti Products Training and Service Centre of the WPC Indus-trial Department recently. Here the Minister inspects a product.

Pic: M.S.M. Munthasir, Panadura Central Gr. Cor.

The new building of Multidimensional Aspirations for Students (MAS) at Maha Hunupitiya, Negombo was opened by the Deputy Minister of Resources and Enterprises Development Sarath Kumara Gunarathna. The founder and MD of MAS Milroy Fernando and Parish Priest of Katuwapitiya, Negombo Rev. Fr. Sri Kantha look on.

Pic: H. Fernando, Negombo Spl. Cor.

A new office complex for Grama Sevaka Niladaris, the Samurdhi office, midwife and agricultural officers built under the Gama Naguma project, was opened by Kalutara district parliamentar-ian Vidura Wickramanayaka recently in the Maputugala Grama Sevaka Division.

Pic: Priyadarshani Kahawala, Ingiriya Central Gr. Cor.

The private library of well-known educationist S. H. M. Jameel, was opened at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka recent-ly. Here the Vice-Chancellor Dr. S. M. Mohamed Ismail accepts a volume of books from Jameel. Registrar H. Abdul Saththar (left), Prof. S. Mounaguru and the Librarian M. M. Rifaudeen (right) are also in the picture.

Pic: M. A. Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai Gr. Cor.

The annual feast of St. Anthony's Church, Nawagampura, Grand-pass, Colombo 14 was held, under the patronage of the Parish Priest of St Joseph's Church Rev. Fr. Ananda Fernandopulle recently. Here a group sing hymns, before the commencement of the feast.

Pic: A. Maduraveeran, Colombo North Gr. Cor.

A commemoration ceremony of former Chief Trustee of Thiruketheeswaram kovil, Mannar, the late Saiva Periyar E. Namasivayam, organised by the All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) was held recently at its headquarters in Colombo 2. Here Secretary, ACHC, Kandiah Neelakandan garlands the portrait of the late Namasivayam. Directress, Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs Department Mrs. Shanthi Navukkarasan, Vice President, ACHC V. Thavayogarajah and Media Secretary Bala look on.

Pic: A. Maduraveeran, Colombo North Gr. Cor.

Students of Hambantota Vidyalaya organised a perahera on Poson Poya day recently.Here the procession wends its way along the streets of the town.

Pic: M. Irfan Zakariya, Hambantota Thinakaran Spl. Cor.English teachers of Gampola Hindu College organised the Educational English Camp 2012 at the Parathey Hall recently, under the patronage of in-service advisor of English Mrs. S. Pathmanandan. Principal S. Ragu was the guest speaker. Here the chief guest is being conducted to the venue.

Pic: D. Vasanthakumar, Nawalapitiya TKN Cor.

A devotional program organised by the Sri Sivasubra-maniam Kovil at Jeyanthi Nagar, Ginthupitiya was held recently. Here a popular artiste from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Yaar Kannan delivers the keynote address. Kovil Trustees T. Eswaran, Well-known author Mrs. Padma Somakandan and SLBC artiste Mrs. Kamalini Selvarajan are also in the picture.

Pic: A. Maduraveeran, Colombo North Gr. Cor.

Ummu Dhardha Islamic Ladies College, Akkaraipattu which lacks basic facilities and floor space will be provided with new infrastructure at a site at Meera Nagar with funds from well-wishers. Here President of the Jemmiyathul Ulama Moulavi Al-Haj M.A. Abdul Latheef (Bahjee) lays the foundation stone for the new project. Principal Moulavi Al Haj M.A. Abdul Hameed and Principal of Sammanthurai Ayeisha Ladies Arabic College, Moulavi Alhaj A. Ali Ahamed (Rashadi) were also present.Pic: M.A. Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai Gr. Cor.

‘Beyond a Step’ , Rathnavali Walk 2012The Old Girls’ Association of Rathnavali Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo 8 will hold ‘Beyond a Step’, the Rathnavali Walk 2012 on July 14 at the Viharama-hadevi Open Air Theatre.The Walk will commence from the school premises at 7.30 p.m. and arrive at the Theatre at 10.30 a.m., followed by a fun fair till 3.00 p.m. DJ Music with “Shenash” will be in attendance.

Krishnamurti talkA recorded public talk on “Why do we live with unre-solved problems?” delivered by the late Indian Sage J. Krishnamurti will be replayed at Anula Nursery School, High Level Road, Colombo 5 today at 9.45 am.

It is organised by the Krishnamurti Centre, Sri Lanka Inc.

‘Nature's Odyssey’ from July 14 - 16Nature's Odyssey, an art exhibition that portrays the finer elements of nature in its raw form will be held from July 14 - 16 at the Art Gallery from 10.00 am.The exhibition sponsored by the Ceylon Society of Arts is open to the public.

Lecture on Zakath at Marleen Hall The Moors’ Islamic Cultural Home has organised a lecture on ‘Zakath and its Distribution’ today at 9.00 a.m. at A.A.M. Marleen Hall, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Building, Lily Avenue, Colombo 6, in prepara-tion for the Holy Ramazan.

EVENTS

OFFICE-BEARERSCatamarans Sports Club

President: Mahen PereraVice Presidents: Srinath Silva, Crysanthus Fernando, Upali Seneviratne and Lasla FernandoGeneral Secretary: Denver Brian CooreyTreasurer: Deshantha SilvaAsst. Secretary/Treasurer: Suranga FernandoSocial Secretaries: Lincoln de Silva and Mahesha PereraBar Secretary: Ruwan MendisCricket Secretary: Mahesh de AlwisPavillion Secretary: Rohana DeepalCommittee Members: Priya Peiris, Minesh Jayaseka-ra, Asiri Mendis, Delvin Pereira and Anton Fernando

The Old Peterites Group of pre - 1970Patron: Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel, Rector, St. Peter's CollegeVice Patrons: Dr. Lloyd S. Fernando and Camillus Abey-gunawardenaPresident: Jayantha AtapattuSenior Vice President: Harindra SirisenaVice President: Hilal AbdullaHony. Secretary: Stanley LumanauwHony. Asst. Secretary: David CruszHony. Treasurer: Neville JayalathHony. Asst. Treasurer: Nihal WijeratneCommittee:Erajh Balasuriya, Algi Wijewickrema, Harold Jansz, Rod-ney Martenstyn, Srinath Fernando, Cyril Wijesena, Nihal Perera and Quentin Jayamaha.

Association of Justices of the Peace of Sri Lanka

President: Anton C. PulleGeneral Secretary: A.R.M. BakkeerHony. Treasurer: Ariyadasa ThanthirigeImm. Past President: Hilmi JunaidVice Presidents: K. Jayakumar, S.W. BalageAsst. Secretary: K.M. WazeerAsst. Treasurer: P.D.K. BothejuConsultants: Basil C. Jayawardena, W.D.S. JayathilakeCommittee members: M.K.M. Saleem, V.M. Shanmu-ganathan, Mrs. T. Sirisoma, Anton R. Kandiah, P.B. Wijekoon, J.M. Faiz, Gamini Herath, M. Mohideen Ariff, Nimal V. Perera, T.W.K. de Silva, Ignatious Camillus.

JICA Alumni Association of Sri LankaPatron: Nobuhito Hobo, Ambassador of JapanVice patron: Haruni Ao, Chief Representative, JICAPresident: Chitral JayawardenaVice Presidents: Camillus Abeygoonewardena, Jagath Goonewardena, Thusitha Munindradasa and Rohan S. PereraSecretary: Upali S. JayasekeraAsst. Secretary: P. MadurasingheTreasurer: Sam ChandrasenaAsst. Treasurer: Sanath DissanayakeEditor: Dhammika AbeywardenaCommittee Members: P. Baskarasingam, Hema Balas-uriya, H.J.N.J. de Silva, Tilak Fernando, D.G.U. Jayawar-dena, A.K.A. Mendis, Nanda Mohottala, P.I. Pathiratne, P. Ratnasinghe, M. D. Sarathchandra, A.C.M. Shafeek, S.A. Sumith, W.A.A. Weerakkody and H.R. Withanachchi.

Veronica Damayanthi Jayakody's latest book “Life of the Gautama Buddha - The marvellous birth of the Buddha” was launched in the United States recently. Here the author presents a copy of the book to Prof. Gamini Sumanasekara. Prof (Mrs) Wasana Sumanasekara, publisher Dayawansa Jayakody and Manjula Gunasena look on.

Asst. Secretary, Western Provincial Council Education Min-istry Mrs. K.A.E. Alwis retired recently after 41 years in State Service. Here Western Province Chief Secretary and Education Ministry Secretary Mrs. J.M.C. Jayanthi Wijetunge presents a memento to Alwis. Senior officials look on.

Pic: M.S.M. Munthasir, Panadura Central Gr. Cor.

The Independent Television Network's Tamil TV channel Vas-antham TV celebrated its fourth anniversary at the ITN prem-ises recently. Here the Chairman of the ITN, Rosmand Senaratne, Directors Hashim Omar Devapiran and Vasantham TV Manager M. Kuwandiran cut the cake to mark the occasion.

Pic: Ruzaik Farook

A carnatic music recital organised by the Aalabana Sangeetha Sabha, Colombo was held at the Colombo Tamil Sangam, Wellawatte recently. Here the program led by Selvi Kavilalini in progress.

Pic: A. Maduraveeran, Colombo North Gr.

Cor.

Member of Parliament and Chairman/Managing Director of the Sama-dhi Community Development Foundation, Buddhika Pathirana organised the project Samadhi Kekulu Suwasetha to donate equipment to pre-schools in the Matara district, at a cost of Rupees 21 million. Here the parliamentarian pres-ents the equipment to Pipena Kekulu Pre-School at Amalagoda in Akuressa.

The birthday of the Chief incumbent of Sri Sudarshanaramaya, Malapalla Ven. Agrahare Kas-sapa Thera was celebrated with a series of pinkamas organised by the Dayaka Sabawa at the Homagama Hospital. An Ashirvada pooja was also held for in-patients where 100 cotton pillows, 100 sheets and 100 plastic jugs were presented to patients. Here Ven. Thera presents bed sheets to the Director of the hospital Dr. Pradeep Abeygunaratne. Pic: Maharagama Spl. Cor.

The South Eastern University students Council of 2009/2010 built a bus shelter near the University recently. Here the Vice Chancellor of the South Eastern University Dr. S.M.M. Ismail opens the bus halt.

Pic: M.I.M. Azhar, Maligaikadu Gr. Cor.

A home project under the Divi Neguma program was launched at the Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretariat area recently. Here the Grama Niladari of Sainthamaruthu Division No.10, A.M. Nizrin presents plant seeds to one of the beneficiaries. Agriculture Instructor M.M.M. Jameel is also in the picture.

Pic: M.I.M. Azhar, Maligaikadu Gr. Cor.

The Trinity College of London held its second prize - giving for students recently at the Bishop's College auditorium. The follow-ing are the Diploma Awardees: (Standing from left) Radhini Mendis (ATCL - Speech and Drama), Thilanka Jayasekara (ATCL-Public Speaking), Tahini De Andrado (ATCL - Speech and Drama), Anuk Munasinghe (ATCL - Speech and Drama), Samurdhi Cabral - Prize Winner (ATCL - Public Speaking), Krishan Devasagayam (ATCL - Speech and Drama), Christina de Silva (ATCL - Speech and Drama), Ruchindra Fernando (ATCL - Public Speaking), Thinethree Ginigath-pitiya (ATCL - Speech and Drama) (Seated): Suvini Karunanayake (ATCL - Speech and Drama), Arushka Theagarajah (ATCL - Speech and Drama) Bhagya de Alwis - Licenciate Diploma (LTCL - Speech and Drama Teacher), Mrs. Varuni Jayasekara - Teacher, Evangeline de Silva - Licenciate Diploma (LTCL - Speech and Drama - Teacher), Chenuri Ranasinghe (ATCL - Speech and Drama), Susan Gunasekara (ATCL - Public Speaking).

The Ingiriya Private Bus Sanga-maya provided free transport for passengers to travel to the Kela-niya temple from Ingiriya, under a program organised on Esala Poya Day. A dansala was also held for Commuters and over 30,000 patronised the dansala.

Pic: Priyadarshani Kahawala, Ingiriya Central Gr.Cor.